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Evaluates the validity of self ratings in assessing competence in practicing evidence based medicine and conducts a blinded validation in general practice. Method of interviewing fifty physicians in Sydney, New South Wales about seven terms used in evidence based medicine; Indication that medical education in Australia has not prepared general practitioners for evidence based medicine.

Editorial. Comments on a report in this issue by Australian general practitioners who rated themselves and were then tested on their evidence based medicine skills. Issue of doctors not understanding the terms used in evidence based medicine; Discussion of problems in interpreting the study; View that the results cast doubt on the use of self assessed knowledge as a proxy for actual skills.

Focuses on the introduction of terminology by the British Society for Clinical Cytology. Provision of accurate basis for quality assurance in laboratories and centers by the term cervical cytology screening; Classification of dyskaryosis; Features of the smear with severe dyskaryosis.

The article presents news items related to medicine. A $1.95 million project developed by Great Britain's National Health Service will look at ways to improve how the organization deals with dying patients and their families. Canada's National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities has approved the over the counter sale of emergency contraceptives. The British Standards Institute has issued guidelines on the terminology used in regenerative medicine to help ensure shared understanding of certain terms.

The article presents a humorous look at newly created slang terms (neologisms) which are used in medicine and which physicians should become familiar with. A definition of the terms including a Fonzie (based on the character from the television show "Happy Days"), which is a middle grade doctor who seems unflappable during any medical emergency, and a Ringo (Based on Ringo Starr from the musical group the Beatles), which is an expendable member of a medical team, is presented. A discussion of the factors which led to the development of the slang is presented.

The article presents the author's opinions on the use of count (unit) and non-count (mass) nouns in medicine and on terms which are used inaccurately in medicine. Difficulties which are seen in the pluralization of the different kinds of nouns in medicine are examined. An in depth discussion of the definitions of palpitation and palpitations, and of discrepancies which are found with the use of the words palpitation and palpitations in medicine, is presented as an example. Errors that the author has found in medical terminology are discussed.

The article presents the author's opinions on the psychological effects of using non people friendly terminology in medicine which were strengthened when she was labeled as Senile Prims Gravida instead of simply a patient with a late life pregnancy. Arguments are presented which suggest that not all people can speak out when they do not like what they are called and that when doctors are in doubt, they should call things and people by their true, direct and often simple names.

This article reports on the etymology of the words orphan and rare, and extends to define the terms rare disease, orphan drugs and orphan diseases. A rare disease is defined in the U.S. as a condition afflicting fewer than 200,000 people, although the definition applies to smaller numbers in the European Community, Japan and Australia. Orphan disease is used as a synonym for rare disease. An orphan drug is one that is used to treat a rare disease or that is too costly to produce.

The article focuses on the post-nominal abbreviations that are no longer published in the "British Medical Journal," for medical degrees. The tradition of accomplishment abbreviations in Great Britain is discussed. Humorous abbreviations representing the current medical hierarchy are offered as an alternative to the former academic accomplishments.

The article presents a quotation from Galen's "On the sects for beginners," translated into English by Richard Walzer and Michael Frede in 1985. Physicians, according to Galen, need to know how to bring about health, identify its absence and the ways to preserve it when it is present, as the aim of the art of medicine is health, and its end is to the possession of health.

The article focuses on the use of diagraphs in medical terminology. The history of the sounds "ae" and "oe" is presented. The symbols were used inconsistently in classical Latin, but became distinct vowel sounds in Old English. Only during the Renaissance were the ligatures brought back into common use. The article argues that British medical discourse replace both symbols with a practical and utilitarian "e" vowel, as medical journals in the United States have.

The article discusses the author's experience at an elderly care ward. Many patients would report that they had "simply fallen over" and the author points out the actual complexity of a fall with causes such as neurological deficit, fear, and arthritis. A fall can have lasting effects physically and psychologically. He also asks why something so complex has such a benign name, and suggests a new term, "terrataxis," instead, to convey a level of seriousness.

The article mentions medical acronyms that were used at a conference on HIV management. There are the rather obvious short forms of medical terms for drugs such as ABC (abacavir) and ATV (atazanavir). Other acronyms perplexed the author, including ddC (zalcitabine) and d4T (stavudine).

Presents a letter to the editor about the term "heart failure" and the term "cardiac impairment," which was suggested by Lehman et al.

Presents a letter to the editor about Lehman et al's editorial debate on "heart failure" and suggests a label of "cardiovascular insufficiency syndrome".

Presents a letter to the editor commenting on Lehman et al's suggestion of "cardiac failure" and offers the term "cardiac deferred success".

Presents a letter to the editor about a Lehman et al editorial concerning a new term for "heart failure" and suggests they do some research on patients' opinions.

Presents a letter to the editor about the term "heart failure" and suggests that clinical coding departments be informed of any terminology changes.

Mentions the origin of medical, physiological, or anatomical terms, which are often Latin translations of the ailment's appearance. Discussion of the pelvic bones and the term pelvis, sacrum, and ilium; Indication that the term sciatica came from the Greek word iskhion, or hip joint.

Relates the author's experience treating an elderly patient with diabetes who was losing her vision due to diabetic retinopathy. Her concerned reaction when he called diabetes a disease; His decision to always refer to it as a condition around her and her family.

Focuses on the Latin word lumbus, from which lumbar is derived, which meant the loin or a cut of meat from the loin. Mention of several medical terms found in 19th century medical dictionaries; Conceit concerning the cut of meat known as sirloin; How the French word lumbles became associated with the term humble pie.

Offers thoughts on the word Attendee. Etymology of the work attend; Question about when the suffix -ee should be added; Opinion that attendee is an unneeded word in the medical profession.

Discusses use of the words cracked, broken, and fractured in medicine. How patients understand the terms; Suggestion that the words can be divided into three different types of fractures based on patient understanding of the words.

Discusses the impact of the process of apheresis on the meaning of the term 'anatomy.' History of the word 'atomy' after the removal of the indefinite article 'an'; Factors affecting the ambiguity of both terms.

Examines the etymology of the term 'chickenpox.' Details of the 'Oxford English Dictionary's' suggestions regarding the term's origin; Suggestion that chickenpox is related to the Old English word 'giccan'; Other theories.

Defines the term triage in medicine.

Deals with the typographical or copy-editing error of the medical term hepatojugular reflex to reflux. How other authors of medical books interpret the term.

Explains the meaning of motherese, a medical jargon commonly used by audiologists and otologists.

Provides information on the origin of the medical terms cerebral gyri, nasal turbinates. Latin origin of the terms.

Explores the origin of the term gallop sound denoting a cadence of three sounds per cardiac cycle. Meaning of gallop in horse sports; Health implications of the presence of a gallop heart sound.

Analyzes terminologies used by women to refer to their private parts. Health implications of ignorance of the female reproductive anatomy; Author's support for dispelling ignorance among women of their own anatomy.

Discusses terminologies in medicine. Errors in interpreting medical abbreviations; Includes H2 as hydrogen in H2 receptor antagonists; Use of TNT or trinitrin in anginal therapy.

Provides insights on the relationship between the relative medical sophistication shown by patients and that displayed on television. Broadcasters' familiarity with medical parlance; Importance of patients' recollection of previous medical investigations.

Emphasizes the importance of using simple words in administering care to patients for the sake of clarity.

Presents medical terms for the everyday vocabulary use of physicians.